Mary's Blessing, McKenna's Daughters Series #2

I haven't read very many books by Lena Nelson Dooley, just an occasional one. This one sounded interesting. MARY'S BLESSING is a story of one of three identical triplets who were separated at birth. Mary kept the name her birth family gave her, but apparently she was never told the true story of how she came to live with the Caine family, because she suffers from the "my birth mother didn't want me and gave me away" syndrome (her mother died at birth).

She finds it hard to believe that Daniel wants to court her and takes everything he says as gospel -- which suits him just fine because he's a man and wants to tell her like it is and have her mindlessly agree.

A bad accident forces Mary to stand up for herself and her family and Daniel doesn't like what he's seeing. How dare she stand up to him and choose her family when they need her?

When a relative speaks truth to him, Daniel has some soul searching and growing up to do. Will he take the wise advice along with the gospel truth and change his ways enough to w in Mary back? Or will the horrible accident and all the changes separate them forever?

Ms. Dooley is kind of a name in historical fiction having written for years for Heartsong Presents and Love Finds You in and Rhealms, as well as other well-known publishers. Fans who LOVE historical fiction -- especially set along the time of the Oregon Trail, will want to read this book.

MARY'S BLESSING is formula historical romance, with the mandatory death, the at-least-one parentless siblings (or daughter) and struggling to make ends meet. Readers will know what to expect, but it is still an enjoyable read, and at times it is spellbinding. The conversations are a bit stilted, but I'm not sure if it's how they talked back then or if it's just the way the author writes.

I was given a copy free. All opinions are my own.

Excellent read.

When you read the first book in the McKenna's Daughters series, you have to read this one and the third to find what happens to these three sisters (triplets). I had the first book and had to get the other two to get the complete story! Well written, keeps your attention, I didn't want to put it down!!

Mary Lenora Murray had loving parents but a very hard life. She knew that she was adopted but didn't know who her mother and father were or why they gave her away, she did know though that she was loved by her adopted parents. Mary had two older sisters, a younger sister and two younger brothers. Her mother and two older sisters died from cholera when she was eleven so she had to grow up fast and at a young age. Once her mother had died Mary had to take care of her father and siblings, her father was never the same and life was changed.

Daniel Winthrop came west in the same wagon train that Mary's family was in so they knew each other their whole lives, Daniel is 20 and Mary will soon be 18. Daniel gets permission from Kenneth, Mary's dad, to court Mary. After a short time he takes Mary on a Friday Surprise trip to Portland and when they return they find Kenneth laying in the field with a terrible cut on his leg. When they get him to the doctor, the doctor doesn't even know if he'll make it and if he does they might have to amputate his leg.

As Mary is caring for her father Daniel is falling deeper in love and has their future all planned out, Mary doesn't like what he plans so they have an argument and Daniel leaves in a huff. He is supposed to return so he can take her home to bathe, see her siblings and then return her to the doctor's office, but he never returns.

WOW! Mary's story is one that tears at your heart. She takes everything that is handed to her, and it's a lot, but keeps on going and giving her best for her family. She shows such strength for having to take over a household at such a young age with no resentment or anger. Sometimes maybe a little wishful thinking for some time for herself, but she pulls herself together and continues on with the life that she's been given.

I'm so glad I have the third book, "Catherine's Pursuit", so I can get started on it right now. All I can say is that if you get "Maggie's Journey" you might as well get the other two at the same time, that's what I did and I'm really glad.

Mary's Blessing, the second book in the McKenna's Daughters series, continues the captivating tale of Angus McKenna's triplet daughters who were separated at birth. This book is just as good as the first in the series. It is filled with interesting characters, misunderstandings, stubborn pride, tragedy and love.

Mary lives a hard life with her adopted family. It wasn't always that way. However, after the death of her adoptive mother and two older sisters, Mary becomes the caretaker of a younger sister and two brothers with no real support from her father. He runs the farm but has just checked out of life. After years of this treatment, she feels rather hopeless about her future, until Daniel steps in and reveals his feelings.

Daniel has always lived a comfortable life with wealthy parents. He loves Mary and wants to court her, marry her, and provide her with a posh life. He plans to buy a big house for them and fill it with servants.

When tragedy befalls Mary's family once again, will the love she shares with Daniel be strong enough to survive? What is God's will for her life? Will Daniel learn to love and serve Mary the way God calls him to?